Machine for working an upper over a last.



R. P. MoFEELY.

MAGHINE FOR WORKING AN UPPER OVER A LAST.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26,1910.

Patented June 18, 1912.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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R. F. MG PEELY.

MACHINE FOR WORKING AN UPPER OVER A LAST.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1010. 1,030,264, Patented June 18, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 gwizzzzz //vv v727 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,. WASHINGTON, D i! the gripper in each case being used as a STATES PATENT onnion.

RONALD F. MCFEELY, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATIONv OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR WORKING AN UPPER OVER A LAST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1912.

Application filed January 26, 1910. Serial No. 540,221.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RONALD F. MGFEELY, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Vorking an Upper Over a Last, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invent-ion relates to machines for use in manufacturing boots and shoes and particularly to mechanism for pulling an upper over a last.

The invention is herein shown as applied to a pulling-over machine of the type shown in my prior United States Letters Patent No. 663,777, and in my application Serial No. 80,704, filed October 31', 1901, upon which Patent No. 950,701, dated March 1, 1910, has been granted, of which application this present application is a continuation in so far as it covers subject-matter that is common to that application. The portions of that machine which are necessary to a clear understanding of this invention are represented herein and reference may be had to said Patent No. 663,777 for the complete machine.

An important feature of the invention consists in novel provision for positioning the upper in the machine and relatively to the last preparatory to the operation of the machine. In the illustrated embodiment of this feature of the invention the side grippers are arranged to engage the sides of the upper in predetermined relation, considered lengthwise of the shoe. The front edges of the side grippers which are located in full view of the operator, constitute gages or means relative to which the tip seam may be positioned to secure the desired angular relation of the tip seam to the longitudinal axis of the last. As shown, the side grippers are arranged for the operator to place the upper on a straight lastwith the ends of the tip-seam immediately adjacent to the front edge of each side gripper. For a longer or a shorter tip, the seam will be placed in the grippers a little farther back, as for example, with the front line of stitching of the tip seam at the front edge of each side gripper, or a little farther forward, the edge of gage or guide to aid the operator in securing or indices with relation to which the operator will position the tip seam more or less farther forward on the inner side than on the outer side of t-helast to obtain the desired obliquity of the tip seam. The machine is provided with means for' adjust-ing the toe and side grippers proportionally for different sizes of shoes. Thereby the toe gripper is correctly positioned for the length of the last and said gripper and the tip seam gages formed by the side grippers are positioned for the same proportional length of tip for each size of shoe. In this connection it is to be noted that while the toe gripper will require to be moved a certain distance for a given variation in the size of lasts the length of the tip requires to be changed by only a fraction of that distance and for this purpose the tip gages formed by the side grippers are adjusted forwardly and backwardly with the toe-gripper in a predetermined proportional degree corresponding to the ratio of the length of the tip to the whole length of the shoe. Provision also exists for additional adjustment of the toe gripper independently for styles of shoes requiring long or short tips. lVhile as above stated the front edges of the side grippers, which are in plain view of the operator for visually indicating to him the correct positions for the ends of the tip seam, are preferably employed as the tip seam positioning means or gages, additional or supplemental. devices such as pointers or index lines formed on the gripper jaws or otherwise mounted may be provided, if desired, within the broader aspect of this feature ofthe invention. In this connection it should be un derstood that the term positioning means and other terms of similar import are herein employed to designate the tip seam positioning faces of the side grippers, or any positioning or position indicating means carried by said grippers, as distinguished from the upper engaging faces or portions of said grippers which form elements of the pulling-over means which are separately recited in the claims.

It has been explained above that in accordance with this invent-ion provision is made for initially gripping the upper with the tip seam in desired position angularly and longitudinally relatively to the last. It is well known, however, that different portions of upper stretch unequally and it is found that in practice more or less readjustment of the upper after it is pulled is required for the finely made foot-wear demanded at the present time. For obtaining this readjustment the machine is provided with the tip straightening mechanism described in my prior Letters Patent by which the side grippers can be moved simultaneously in opposite directions lengthwise of the shoe for shifting the upper around the last. This side gripper moving mechanism is also useful for other purposes as, for example, for pulling the upper held under tension at opposite sides of the last alternately forwardly and backwardly to stretch it so that it will fit down into the low portion which exists in the top face of some lasts over the ball.

In accordance with a further feature of this invention, means is provided for reguiding automatically the side grippers to their normal position longitudinally of the shoe from any position to which they may have been moved for adjusting the upper or for any other purpose. As these side grippers carry or constitute the tip seam gages, these gages are positioned correctly at the end of each operation ready to assist in positioning the next shoe upper tip seam. This reguiding means comprises as herein shown a centering means carried by each side gripper and consisting of oppositely inclined shoulders which are seated on correspondingly inclined faces of the machine frame when the grippers are lowered to shoe receiving posit-ion. The shoulders are raised when the grippers are uplifted to pull the upper so that the reguiding or centering means becomes automatically operative as the grippers approach shoe receiving position and become automatically inoperative and capable of allowing shifting of the grippers when the grippers move into upper pulling position.

Further and very important features of this machine are found in the individual gripper mechanisms. These comprise the provision in a gripper mechanism of means for automatically closing the gripper members before they are lifted, and also of means adapted to be lifted for first closing the jaws and then for causing the jaws and their carrier to be moved together for pulling theupper; the provision of means to hold the grippers yieldingly against upward displacement by the operating means until the jaws have been closed so that the jaws always grip the work in their lowest position; the provision of means which may include a spring and is operative for initially closing the jaws to grip the stock and additional means, which may also include a spring with or without other instrumentalities that have been previously inoperative, to effect final closing of the jaws; the provision by which the jaw actuating mecha nism or an element thereof may be disconnected from the jaws, as, for example, by separating the operating bar from the closing device, while the upper is under tension to permit the upper to be released; the provsion for moving the closing device automatically to open the jaws when said device is released from the operating bar; the pro vision of automatic means to actuate the bar to effect closing of the jaws and independent means for further actuating the bar tolift the grippers; of a spring which operates while connected to the closing device to effect closing of the jaws and when disconnected from said device to effect opening of the jaws to release the upper; and the provision of means for retarding the release movement of the grippers so that the upper is let go gradually.

These and other features of this invention, including certain details of construction and combinations ,of parts will be fully explained in the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and will then be pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the gripper mechanism of a pulling-over machine; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the gripper spreading mechanism; Fig. 3 shows a side gripper in full and dotted lines in two positions relatively to the seat which cooperates in reguiding itto normal shoe receiving position; Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line k4 of Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing a preferred construction of the grippers embodying this invent-ion; Fig. 6 is an elevation partly in section showing the grippers and a section of a portion of a shoe; Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 6. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show the grippers in three different stages of operation; Fig. 9 is a perspective view partly in section showing the gripper operating bar 168 detached. Fig. 10 is an eleva tion partly in section showing the front side of the grippers; Fig. 11 is a view of the loose slide or gripper controlling device and the tripper of the gripper mechanism.

The main shaft 1 carries the pulley 2 which is connected by gears to the shaft for driving the cams 3 and 4. The cam 3 has a groove in the front face to receive a roll on "a vertical slide 5 from which rise two stems 6 each embraced by a block 7 and encircled by a spring 8 confined under suitable tension between the block and a nut 9 on the upper end of the stem. Each block has a knuckle joint with the rear end of an angular side gripper lever 10 which is fulcrumed at 152 and from which, at a distance from its front end, is suspended by a ball joint, a side gripper comprising the operating bar 168, the gripper carrier 162 having the pivoted jaw 186 and the relatively rigid j aw 160, together with other parts which will later be described. Each side gripper is guided by its carrier in a slot in the machine frame 6 and has laterally projecting shoulders 124 having oppositely inclined lower faces to engage the frame for reguiding the side grippers to normal position longitudinally of the machine and seating them in such position preparatory to the presentation of a shoe thereto. Each side gripper carrier has a vertical and transverse sliding connection with a block having a rack bar 250, the rack teeth of one bar being on its lower side and those of the other on its upper side. Both bars engage a toothed shaft having a handle 292 by which the rack bars and the side grippers can be moved simultaneously in opposite directions longitudinally of the machine for positioning the upper lengthwise about the last as explained in said prior patent. The slots in the frame Z) are wide enough to permit the required movement of the side grippers therein when the grippers are raised with the upper under tension and the inclined shoulders 124 reguide the grippers automatically to central position when they are lowered.

The cam 41- has a groove in its back side which receives a roll 011 the lower end of a slide 25 from which rises a stem 26 embraced by a block 27 and encircled by a spring 28 which is. held down upon the block under tension regulated by a screw nut 29 like the corresponding devices for the side grippers. The block 27 engages the rear end of angle lever e which is fulcrumed on the rod 152 and from the front arm of which is suspended the toe gripper.

It will be understood from the foregoing description, which may be supplemented by reference to said patent if more detailed explanation of the machine as a whole is desired, that the grippers are lowered unyieldingly by the rise of the cam slides 5 and 25 and that this movement is predetermined in extent and carries the operating bars 168 down to a definite position and that the carriers 162 on which the jaws are mounted are always arrested in uniform position by the frame Z2. As will be explained later, in describing the specificconstruction of the grippers, the jaws are opened by the relative movement of the bar 168 in the carrier 162 after the latter has been stopped by the shoulders 124. During the reverse movement of the cam slides 5 and 25 the jaws are initially closed by the springs 170 contained therein and finally are closed and held securely in pulling engagement with the upper by the springs 8 and 28. The cam shaft is driven at high speed and the cam slides are therefore pulled quickly down and put the springs 8 and 28 under immediate compression. The force thus stored up in the springs is transmitted gradually through the levers 10 and e to effect final closing and uplifting of the grippers and the pulling of the shoe upper in a rela tively slow manner during a period greater than that in which the cam shaft is in motion and which extends into the period of rest that is provided for the operator to inspect the shoe and adjust it by the handles on the front ends of the gripper levers and by the handle 292. It will be noted that the springs 8 or 28 are inactive during the first portion of the jaw closing movement during which the front end of the lever is being presssed upwardly by the spring 170 which effects initial closing of the jaws and that said springs only become operative during the last part of the jaw closing movement. This arrangement is advantageous because thereby weakening of those springs by expansion to move the jaws for initial closing is avoided and the full strength of said springs is applied for effecting final closing and locking of the jaws and their pulling movement.

The side grippers are arranged lengthwise of the machine in position to seize the upper adjacent to the tip seam and preferably just back of the seam and their front faces, more particularly the front faces of the rigid jaws 160, which are directly before the operator, are employed as gages with relation to which the seam is positioned lengthwise of the last preparatory to gripping the upper. In most shoes the end portion of the seam maybe positioned immediately in front of the edge face of the aw 160 but for a longer tip the seam may be positioned within the jaws while for a shorter tip the seam may be spaced a slight distance in front of the aws.

The operator can very readily posit-ion the two ends of the'seam relatively to the jaws in the desired position by seizing the seam at the correct places and locating it by feeling against the front edges of the jaws. This is more convenient than to locate the seam by a mark or index line which is to be perceived by the eye although such index marks may be used within this invention if desired, and gage attachments may obviously be mounted on the grippers if desired. The broad claims based upon that arrangement of the side grippers which adapts them for use as gages for the tip seam are made in applicants co-pending application, Serial -No. 672,236, renewed January 19, 1912,

wherein their subject-matter was first disclosed, and the claims in this case are limited to the improvement which includes means for reguiding the side grippers to tip gaging position after the tip straightening operation. Provision is comprised for adjusting the toe gripper and the tip seam gages together and proportionally for different sizes of shoes and relatively for different lengths of tips. This is comprised in the mechanism heretofore employed and described in said patent for adjusting the grippers which in accordance with this invention are constructed and arranged to serve as means for relatively positioning the last and the tip seam of the upper. This mechanism comprises the endwise movable bar 40 which engages the rear face of the toe gripper operating bar, Figs. 1 and 2 and the swinging arms 42 which engage the in nor faces of the side gripper operating bars. The arms 42 are pivoted at 43 and are engaged by a separating wedge 44 that is adjustably mounted on the bar 40 by a screw 45. The grippers are pressed inwardly against these unyielding devices 40, 42 by springs 46 which insures the predetermined position of the gage devices. The bar 40 is permitted to retreat during each pullingover operation so that the toe gage or abutment, after having served its last positioning function and having been lifted from between the end face of the last and the upper, may be moved parallel with the plane of the last bottom for overdrawing the upper by the grippers. The retreat of the bar 40 also draws back the wedge and lets the side grippers move inwardly. This retreat of bar 40 is made possible by the movement of the bar 838 which is adjustably carried by the rack bar 818 driven from the cam shaft as described in said patent. The adjustment of the bar 838 spreads thegrippers more or less as will be obvious and the direction of spreading movement of the side grippers by the wedge 44 and arms 42 is determined by the direction of the oblique slots 47 in the frame 6. These slots are in this invention formed with a degree of obliquity to the longitudinal axis of the machine from back to front which will cause the side grippers, with their tip seam positioning faces to have a lengthwise component of adjustment, relatively to the toe gripper, which is that required for maintaining the proportional length of the tip to the whole length of the shoe in differentsizes oflasts. Adjustment for long or short tips is obtained by adjusting, by means of the screw 45, the wedge 44 which will shift the tip seam positioning means forwardly or backwardly. Re-adjustment for sizes will then be made by the bar 838 as before.

By the use of the position means for the tip seam which has been herein described it is possible to position the upper on a lastwhich is supported with its sole face away from the operator with the tip seam of the upper in uniform angular and longitudinal relation to the last preparatory to the closing of the grippers so that a minimum of readjustment of the upper is required after the upper has been pulled. It will also be seen. that these important improvement-s on my earlier machinehave been made with few changes in the mechanism, involving mainly the correct location of the side grippers farther forwardly than in the prior machine to enable them to serve as tip position indicating means; the provision of the inclined shoulders 124 to reguide the side grippers always to tip seam positioning location; the proper oblique direction of the guide slots therefor in the frame 7) to give the required proportional adjustment to the tip and last gages; and the arrangement of the gripping and pulling mechanism so that the springs 170 shall efiect initial closing or the first step in closing the jaws and then the unspent or fully tensioned springs 8 and 28 shall efiect the final step of closing the aws. An entirely new gripper jaw mechanism has been provided which will now be described. All the mechanisms are substantially alike and a description of one will serve for all. Reference will be had particularly to Figs. 4 to 11.

The gripper members or jaws 160 and 186 are both supported upon the gripper carrier 162. Said gripper carrier comprises a channeled bar 161 and a cover plate 166 rigidly attached on the open face of the channeled bar by screws 163. The gripper member 160 is rigidly secured between the sides of the channeled bar 161 by the clamping bolt 169. The gripper member 186 is pivotally mounted on the carrier by the pin 188 which is set firmly in the channeled bar 161. The lower portion of an operating bar 168 is received in the chamber formed by the channeled bar and its cover plate. The operating bar 168 is forked at its lower end, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and is provided with a socket in which is received a strong spiral spring 170.

The gripper carrier is provided with a plate 172 which extends transversely across the channel of the carrier and between the forks of the operating bar, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 said plate having one end secured to the channeled bar said carrier and the other end fixed in the cover plate 166 of the carrier. The lower end of the spring 170 in the socket of the operating bar rests upon the plate 172, said spring being in a state of compression whereby it tends to force the operating bar and the gripper carrier lengthwise in opposite directions, the operating bar being pressed upwardly and the carrier downwardly. The lowermost position of the gripper carrier with relation to the operating bar is determined by a cross plate 184 secured to the forks of the lower portion of the operating bar, as shown in Fig. 9, inposition to be engaged by theplate 172 and serve as a stop for the gripper carrier, see Figs. 6, 7, Sand 10. The vertical position of the operating bar is controlled, in the machine to which the invention is herein shown as applied, by the operating lever e fulcrumed at 152 and connected as described in said Letters Patent to actuating cam 4 by which itis rocked for lifting and depressing the gripper mechanism. Means is provided, which is herein shown as lugs 124 formed on the gripper carrier and arranged toengage fixed stops 125, for limiting the downward movement of the gripper carrier when the operating bar is depressed. It will now be understood that the operating bar and the gripper carrier are relatively movable lengthwise and that the spring 170 presses said bar and carrier apart until their movement is stopped by the engagement of the plate 172 with the plate 184. Also it will be obvious that the gripper mechanism as a whole is lifted and depressed by the lever e acting through the operating bar and that the stops 125 arrest the downward movement of the gripper carrier while the operating bar may continue to be moved downwardly by the lever e. In this latter relative movement of the bar and carrier the spring 170 is compressed, as shown in Fig. 8, the plate 184 being carried downwardly away from the plate 172.

A controlling device in the form of a slide 196,.shown separately in Fig. 11 and in section in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, is loosely mounted in the channel of the gripper carrier and is arranged to be connected to the operating bar to be actuated thereby for closing the grippers. The controlling device or loose slide comprises a frame having at its lower end a cross rod 198 on which is mounted to turn freely a roll 200. At the upper end of the loose slide is a cross bar 210 and intermediate the ends is a pivot pin 202 on which is mounted the hub 203 of a tripping device 204. The roll 200 and the hub 203 are spaced apart as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 to receive between them the upward extension 190 of the movable gripper member. Said extension 190 is provided on the side adjacent to the hub of the tripping device with a face 192, which is inclined with relation to the plane of movement of the slide in the gripper carrier so that when the slide is moved downwardly the movable gripper member is rocked as shown in Fig. 8 in the direction for opening the grippers. Upon the reverse side of the extension 190 there'is formed the inclined face 194 to be engaged by the roll 200 for closing the grippers, as shown in Fig. 6, when the loose slide is moved upwardly in the gripper carrier. The upper end of the extension 190 is sharply curved to the left as seen in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 to form the face 194 against which the roll 200 impinges when the grippers are fully closed upon the stock.

For connecting the operating bar to the gripper controlling device or loose slide 196 said bar is provided with a latch 178 piv otally connected to the bar by the pin 176 and provided with' a socket 180 in which is mounted a spring-pressed plunger 182, the upper end of which engages the lower face of the cross plate 184, as shown in Figs. 6, 7

and 8, and presses the latch toward the right in said figures. The latch is shaped for hooking under the cross bar 210 of the loose slide and whenever the operating bar is moved to put the latch into position to hook under the cross bar the spring-pressed plunger 182 automatically actuates the latch into engagement with said bar. The tripping device 204 before mentioned is arranged for engaging the lower end of the latch and disconnecting the latch from the cross bar when the tripping device is moved inwardly, as shown in Fig. 7. vided with an opening 208 through which the head of the tripping device projects into convenient position to be engaged for actuating it.

In the operation of the gripper mechanism the mechanism as a whole is moved downwardly, as by the lever c, all the parts traveling together until the lugs 124 on the gripper carrier engage the stops 125, as shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the descent of the grip per carrier and all of the parts secured to it is arrested. The several parts of the mechanism will at this time occupy substantially the relative position shown in Fig. 7. In the continued rocking of the lever e the operating bar moves with relation to the gripper carrier and the parts come to rest in the relative positions shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted that in this movement of the bar downwardly with relation to the carrier the spring 170 has been compressed and the cross plate 184 on said bar has been carried some distance below the plate 172. Also in this movement the latch 178 has been carried downwardly first with relation to the gripper controlling device or loose slide until it has reached a position for hooking under the cross bar 210, and then said latch has forced the slide downwardly with it. As the slide has thus been moved from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8 the hub 203 of the tripping device has engaged the inclined face 192 of the movable gripper member and has rocked said member for fully opening the grippers The face plate 166 is proas shown. The lever 6 holds the parts in the position shown in Fig. 8 while the stock to be gripped is adjusted within the jaws of the grippers, and then said lever is rocked upwardly. The spring 170, which it will be remembered was putunder compression during the downward rocking of the lever e and the consequent depression of the operating bar, is now permitted to expand for forcing the operating bar upwardly as fast as the lever e rises, In this yielding upward movement of the operating bar, automatically effected by the spring 170, the gripper controlling device, which is at this time connected to said bar as shown in Fig. 8, is drawn upwardly and as it rises the roll 200 travels up the inclined face 194 of the movable gripper member and rocks said member in the direction for closing the gripper jaws upon the stock. The yieldingly effected upward movement of the operating bar and loose slide with relation to the gripper carrier and gripper members continues until, the gripper jaws having initially closed on the stock, the roll 200 on the slide can easily travel no farther upwardly with relation to the extension 190. Then the carrier and grippers will begin to be pulled upwardly by the spring 28 acting through the lever e. \Vhile the primary closing of the grippers is in practice effected by the expansion of the spring 170, it will be obvious that movement of the lever e by the spring 28 for lifting the operating bar to effect final closing and pulling would completely close the grippers if the spring 170 did not do so. Fig. 6 shows the approximate relative positions of the parts of the gripper mechanism when the grippers have been fully closed. The roll 200 will at this time have come into en gagement with the sharply inclined part 194 of the face 194, which forms a firm bearing against which the roll acts as, in the continued rocking of lever e, the operating bar and slide lift the carrier and grippers by reason of this engagement of said roll with the face 194 It will be seen that the grippers are thus finally closed and held or locked by the engagement of the roll on the gripper controlling device or loose slide with the faces 194 and 194 of the movable gripper member and that the grippers and gripper carrier are lifted for pulling the stock by the engagement of the roll with the face 194*, which as shown in the drawings is shaped to overlie somewhat the upper face of the roll. In the relative movement of the operating bar and the gripper carrier for closing the grippers the plate 184 rises with relationto the plate 172, but the parts of the mechanism are so arranged that these plates remain spaced apart a short distance, as shown in Fig. 6, when the grippers have fully closed. The force of the spring 170 and the pull exerted by the mechanism upon the stock cause the roll 200 to be wedged firmly against the inclined face 194 whereby the gripper members grip the stock very firmly.

At the proper time in the cycle of the ma chines operation the tripping device 204 is moved inwardly from the posit-ion shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 7 thus forcing the latch 178 from under the cross bar 210 of the gripper controlling device and relaxing the bite of the grippers so that the stock is permitted to pull out from between the grippers, as shown in Fig. 7. In the machine to which the invention is shown as applied the inward movement of the tripping device 204 is effected automatically by an arm 672, see Fig. 5, of one of the driver carrying and fastener inserting mechanisms of the machine, which moves against said device in the regular operation of the machine, as is fully described in said Letters Patent. In this operation of relaxing the bite of the grippers on the stock the loose slide of the gripper controlling device is, as herein shown, impelled downwardly with relation to the gripper carrier immediately when the latch 178 of the operating bar is disconnected from the cross bar of said slide. This is effected by the face 194 of the upper arm or extension 190 of the movable gripper member, which to this end is actuated by a force occasioned by the elasticity of the griper mechanism which causes said mechanism to react, through the extension 190, upon the roll 200 when the stress is discontinued to which the mechanism has been subjected in gripping and holding the stock, and by the expansion of the stock compressed between the gripper jaws both of which causes tend to rock the face 194 toward the left in Fig. 6. This pressure of the face 194 against the roll 200 forces the slide downwardly far enough to permit the movable gripper member to rock sufficiently to relax the bite on the stock and permit the stock to pull from between the gripper jaws. A second force by which the loose slide is actuated downwardly is the expansion of the spring 170. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 6 that at this time the plate 172 on the gripper carrier is spaced a short distance from the plate 184 on the operating bar so that when the latch 178 is disconnected from the loose slide, the spring, acting on the plate 172, will quickly move the gripper carrier, the gripper members, and the loose slide downwardly together, the slide being caused to move with the grippers by reason of the engagement of faces 194 and 194 with the roll 200 of the slide. This expansion of the spring causes a relative movement of the loose slide and the grippers, in the direction for effecting a relaxation of the bite on the stock, only when the downward travel of the carrier and grippers is abruptly stopped by the contact of plate 172 on the carrier with the plate 18 1 on the operating bar 168. When Lib this contact occurs the loose slide, being free to continue its downward movement by reason of its inertia, travels relatively to the gripper members far enough to take the roll 200 out of contact with the face 194. In this relative movement of the loose slide the hub 203 of the device 204 may engage the face 192 of the movable gripper member, as shown in Fig. 8, and turn it for opening the grippers. In any event the hub is subse quently forced into engagement with the face 192, as before described, for fully opening the grippers to permit the insertion of the next portion of stock to be pulled. It is to be noted in connection with the spring 170 that said spring is arranged with relatien to the other parts of the mechanism to hold the grippers down as far as the lugs 124: and stops 125 permit and to move the operating bar automatically upwardly with relation to the gripper carrier and gripping mechanism during the first part of the rise of the lever. Thereafter, when the bar has been disconnected from the gripper carrier the spring actuates the carrier, the gripper members, and the loose slide downwardly together with relation to the operating bar. Said spring also, as above explained, automatically effects a further downward movement of the loose slide with relation to all the other parts, for permitting the grippers freely to open. While it is desirable to provide the upper arm or extension 190 of the movable gripper member with a face, such as 19%, adapted to effect automatically an initial downward movement of the loose slide immediately when the slide is releasedfrom the latch 178, this provision is not essential to the invention for the slide will in any event be moved with relation to the gripper members by the expansion of the spring 170 as has been described.

In the downward movement of the loose slide 196, as above described, the inclined face 228 of the cross bar 210 serves to swing the latch 178, as shown in Fig. 7, and in so doing to compress the spring 180 so that it is in readiness to force the latch 178 into engagement with the lower end. of cross bar 210 whenever the grippers are again to be closed. This inclined face 228 performs the additional function of retarding the down ward movement-of slide 196 with relation to the gripper carrier 162 when the grippers arereleased. Too sudden a letting goof the material is thus prevented, as the release of the grippers is rendered gradual by the retarding effect of the end of the latch 17S sliding in engagement with the inclined surface 228.

Having described the preferred form of my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1s:

' 1. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, last bottom resting means, pulling-over means, a toe end abutment for the last, means for indicating at each side of the shoe the correct position for the toe tip seam, and means for automatically re- ,turning said indicating means to the same longitudinal position in the machine after each pulling-over operation.

2. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, last bottom resting means, pulling-over means, tip seam position inclicating means movable lengthwise of the shoe from normal position to effect adjustment of the upper, and means for automatically reguiding said means to normal position.

3. A pullingover machine having, in combination, last bottom resting means, pulling-over means including side grippers movable longitudinally of the last, and means for automatically reguiding the side grippers to normal position.

4. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, .last bottom resting means, pulling-over means including side rippers movable longitudinally of the last, and means including slots having inclined side walls into which the grippers are forced as they approach gripping position, for automatically reguiding the side grippers to normal position.

5. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, last bottom resting means, pulling-over means including side grippers movable longitudinally of the last, a seat for the side grippers, oppositely inclined shoulders thereon to rest in said seat, and means for forcing the grippers into their seats preparatory to the pulling-over operation.

6. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, last resting means, pullingover means including a gripper which is movable edgewise, and means for automatically reguiding the gripper edgewise to normal position.

7. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, last bottom resting means, pulling-over means, a toe end abutment for the last, tip seam position indicating means adjustable lengthwise of the machine for tips of different lengths, and means to insure the return of said indicating means to the same longitudinal position in the machine after each pullingover operation.

8. A pulling-over machine comprising means for engaging a last, grippers for engaging the upper, means for relatively actuating said engaging means to pull the upper, a toe end abutment for the last, said grippers having provision for visually inclieating to the operator the correct position for the ends of the tip seam to enable the operator to insert the upper into the machine in a position to insure a predetermined relation of the seam to the last in the pulled-over shoe, and means to insure the return of the grippers to the same longitudinal position in the machine after each pullingover operation.

9. A pulling-over machine having, combination, a gripper comprising relatively movable jaws, a carrier on which one jaw is fixed and the other pivoted to turn about an immovable pivot pin, a spring under tension when the jaws are open and arranged to react for effecting initial closing of the jaws, a second spring, quickly acting power-driven means to put said second spring under tension and connections arranged to permit said second spring to react slowly to efiect final closing of the jaws.

10. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper comprising relatively movable a-ws, a carrier on which one jaw is fixed and the other pivoted to turn I about an immovable pivot pin, a spring for effecting initial closing of the jaws, and a second spring arranged to become operative after the initial closing for effecting final closing of the jaws.

11. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper comprising relatively movable jaws pivotally connected, and means including separate springs for efiecting approximate and then final closing of the aws.

12. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, pulling grippers comprising pivotally connected jaws, means approximately to close the same, and an additional spring to impart final closing movement thereto.

13. The combination of a gripper carrier, a jaw fixed thereon, a jaw pivoted thereon, an operating bar, a connection between the bar and pivoted jaw to close the jaws, a spring to actuate the bar for effecting closing movement of the jaw, and additional means for further actuating the operating bar to move the carrier and jaws for pulling the stock.

14. The combination of a gripper carrier, a pair of jaws on said carrier, an operating bar, a connection from said bar to the jaws adapted to be actuated by said bar to close the jaws and then to lift the jaws bodily to pull the gripped stock, and means to hold the jaws from being lifted while they are being closed.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rigid gripper member and a movable gripper member having an extension, of a loose slide having means for engaging the extension of the movable gripper member, and means adapted to be connected to said slide to actuate the slide to close the grippers and to be disconnected therefrom to allow the grippers to open, said extension being constructed and arranged to move the loose slide automatically to permit the grippers to open when the slide is released from its actuating means.

16. The combination of a gripper carrier, a gripper member fixed on said carrier, a gripper member pivoted on said carrier, an operating bar, means controlled by the operating bar for closing the grippers, means to actuate the operating bar for moving said closing means to close the grippers, and means to actuate the operating bar further for lifting said closing means and grippers.

17. The combination of the gripper carrier, a pair of grippers comprisingjaws both of which are directly connected to said carrier, an operating bar, means adapted to be actuated by said bar for closing the grippers and thereafter causing said grippers and carrier to be lifted by said bar.

. 18. The combination with a gripper carrier and a pair of grippers on said carrier, of an operating bar, means adapted to be actuated by said bar for closing the grippers and causing said grippers and carrier to be lifted by the bar, said gripper closing means being adapted for movement independently of the operating bar for relaxing the bite of the grippers.

19. The combination of a gripper carrier, a pair of grippers, an operating bar, and means, including a part on said operating bar, for closing the grippers together and for thereafter causing said grippers and carrier to be lifted by the operating bar, said partbeing movable relatively to the operating bar to permit of relaxing the hold of .the grippers.

20. The combination with an operating bar, and a gripper carrier having a fixed gripper member and a pivoted gripper member provided with an extension, of means engaging said extension and adapted to have a limited amount of free movement in the gripper carrier, and means for detachably connecting said first-mentioned means to the operating bar whereby the grippers may be first closed to grasp the work and then, together with the gripper carrier, lifted to pull the work.

21. The combination with a gripper carrier, of a gripper member fixed on said carrier, and a gripper member pivoted on said carrier, said last mentioned gripper member having a jaw on one side of the pivot and having an extension on the other side of the pivot, a cam face on said extension, and means adapted to engage said cam face and arranged to be actuated for first closing the grippers upon the work and then lifting the grippers to pull the work.

22. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper carrier, and a pair of grippers, of an operating bar, and means arranged to be actuated by the operating bar for closing the grippers and causing the grippers and carrier to be lifted by said bar, said mechanism having provision for causing the bite of the grippers to be relaxed independently of the movement of the operating bar.

23. The combination of a gripper carrier, at gripper member 011 said carrier, a cooperat-ing gripper member, an operating bar, a gripper controlling device, a latch for con necting said device with said operating bar, means for actuating said latch into operative position and means for moving said operating bar.

24. The combination of a gripper carrier, a gripper member on said carrier, a coiiperating gripper member, an operating bar, a gripper controlling device, a latch for connecting said device with said operating bar, means for actuating said latch into operative position, means for moving said operating bar to cause the grippers to be closed, and mechanism for disengaging the latch to allow movement of the controlling device independently of the bar for permitting the bite of the grippers to be relaxed.

25. The combination of a gripper carrier, a pair of grippers, a gripper controlling device, an operating bar, means for connecting said operating bar and said device whereby the carrier and grippers are caused to be lifted by the operating bar and means to effect a relative movement of said closing device and said carrier to relax the bite of the grippers.

26. The combination of a gripper carrier, a pair of grippers, a device movable with relation to said carrier for closing the grippers, means to impart a movement to said device for relaxing the grippers and mechanism for retarding said releasing movement of said grippers.

27. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper carrier and cooperating grip-per members secured to the carrier, of one operating means for closing and up lifting the grippers including a spring-actuated device for automatically closing the gripper members before they are lifted.

28. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper carrier, a rigid gripper member, a movable gripper member secured to the carrier, and means for actuating the grippers to pull the stock, of a gripper controlling device, and means for actuating it automatically to close the grippers, said mechanism being arranged to insure the closing of the grippers before they are moved in the direction to pull the stock.

29. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a gripper carrier and cooperating gripper members mounted on the carrier, of

tion with a rigid gripper member and a movable gripper member, of a gripper controlling device, means adapted to be connected with said controlling device to actuate it for closing the grippers, and means, operative when the controlling device isreleased from said actuating means, to movesaid device for releasing the grippers.

31. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with gripper members, of a controlling device arranged to engage one of said gripper members, an operating bar disconnected from said controlling device and arranged to be connected therewith at times, and automatic means to actuate the bar for moving the controlling device to close the grippers.

32. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with gripper members, of a controlling device arranged to engage one of said gripper members, an operating bar adapted to be connected with said controlling device, automatic means to actuate the bar for moving the controlling device to close the grippers, and independent means for further actuating the bar to lift the grippers.

33. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of grippers, and an operating bar therefor, of means connected with the operating bar and actuated thereby for closing the grippers and causing the grippers to be lifted by the movement of the operating bar, said means being separable from the operating bar to permit the grippers to open independently of the movement of said bar.

34. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of grippers and a carrier therefor, of a controlling device, an operating bar arranged to be connected with the controlling device for moving it in one direction, means for disconnecting said device from the operating bar, and means for reversely moving said device to release the grippers.

35. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of grippers and an operating bar, of a gripper controlling device arranged to be connected to the operating bar, and means for moving said bar and device together for closing the grippers and for moving said bar and device relatively to' permit the grippers to open.

36. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of grippers, a carrier therefor and an operating bar, of a grippers controlling device arranged to be connected to the operating bar, and means for moving said device and bar relatively to the gripper carrier for closing the grippers and for reversely moving said device relatively to the gripper carrier for opening the grippers.

37. In a gripper mechanism, a pair of grippers, a controlling device therefor, a spring, and means for connecting and disconnecting the device and spring, said spring operating when connected with the device to move it in one direction for closing the grippers and when disconnected therefrom for imparting a reverse movement of the device for releasing the grippers.

38. In a gripper mechanism, a pair of grippers, a gripper carrier, an operating bar, a gripper controlling device, and a spring arranged in said mechanism for acting on said parts to move the bar and controlling device in'one direction for closing the grippers and then in a different adjustment of the parts to move the carrier and the controlling device in the opposite direction for releasing the grippers.

89. In a gripper mechanism, a pair of grippers, a gripper carrier, an operating bar, a gripper controlling device, a spring arranged in said mechanism for acting on said parts to move the bar and controlling device in one direction forclosing the grippers and then in a different adjustment of the parts to move the carrier and the controlling device in the opposite direction for releasing the grippers, and means for actu ating the operating bar to lift the grippers after they have been closed and to depress them aft-er they have been released.

40. A gripper mechanism comprising a pair of grippers, a carrier therefor, means for supporting the carrier, a bar a controlling device engaging one of the grippers and detachably connected to the bar, actuating devices, including a spring, for moving the bar and controlling device relatively to the carrier and grippers to close the grippers, and thereafter moving said parts to gether for pulling the work, and means for disconnecting the bar and controlling device, said actuating devices having provision for permitting the spring to move the carrier and grippers reversely for relaxing the pull on the work when the controlling gevice is disconnected from the operating 41. A gripper mechanism comprising a gripper carrier, a gripper member fixed on said carrier, a gripper member pivoted on said carrier, and actuating devices for closing the grippers and then lifting the carrier and grippers, said mechanism including yielding means for holding the grippers from being lifted until the grippers are fully closed.

42. A gripper mechanism comprising a pair of grippers, an operating bar, a controlling device detachably connected with said operating bar, and actuating means connected with said operating bar whereby the grippers may be closed and lifted, in combination with means for preventing the grippers being lifted until they have been closed.

43. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of grippers, of a controlling device therefor, and actuating mechanism, including a spring, to move the controlling device for closing and then lifting the grippers, said spring being arranged to react after the grippers have been lifted, and for reversely moving said controlling device and grippers together for a limited distance, and means for suddenly checking the downward movement of the grippers while the controlling device is allowed to continue its movement for permitting the grippers to open.

44. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of grippers, of a controlling device for closing the grippers, an operating bar therefor, means for releasing the controlling device from the operating bar, a spring for moving the grippers and controlling device away from the operating bar, and means for checking the movement of the grippers without checking the movement of the controlling device whereby said device is caused to move with relation to the grippers for permitting them to open, said mechanism having provision for further moving the controlling device to insure the complete opening of the grippers.

45. In a gripper mechanism, the combina tion with a pair of grippers, of a cont-rolling device for closing the grippers, an operating bar therefor, means for releasing the controlling device from the operating bar, a spring for moving the grippers and controlllng devlce away from the operatlng bar, and means for checking the movement of the grippers without checking the move-' ment of the controlling device whereby said device is caused to move with relation to the grippers for permitting them to open. 7

46. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a rigid gripper member and a movable gripper member having an eXtension, a controlling device provided with means for engaging the extension of the movable gripper member, and means adapted to be connected to the controlling device for actuating it to close and hold the grippers, said machine having provision for automatically moving the controlling device to permit the grippers to open when the device is released from its actuating means.

47. A gripper mechanism, comp-rising relatively movable pripper members provided with gripping jaws, one of said members being constructed and arranged to have an elastic quality, and a slidable closing device adapted to be actuated against said elastic member for closing the jaws IOU together, said mechanism having provision for causing the elasticity of the connected parts thereof to reversely move said closing device automatically when the force tending to move the device in the direction for closing the jaws is discontinued.

48. A gripper mechanism, comprising relatively movable gripper members provided with gripping jaws, one of said members being constructed and arranged to have an elastic quality, and a device constructed and arranged to be wedged against said elastic member for closing the jaws together, said mechanism being arranged to permitthe elasticity of said member and the expansion ofthe gripped stock to effect a movement of the closing device to relax the grip of the gripper members when the force actuating said device is discontinued.

49. A gripper mechanism, comprising a,

fixed gripper member and a pivoted gripper member having an extension beyond its pivot, combined with a device adapted to be forced against said extension for rocking said pivoted gripper member toward the fixed gripper member for gripping the stock, said mechanism having provision for reverse-1y actuating said device automatically to permit the grip of said members to relax, and means for further reversely actuating said device.

' 50. In mechanism for gripping and pulling stock, relatively movable gripper members, one of whichc has an inclined face, and a device arranged to engage said inclined face and to be actuated in one direction relative thereto for closing the grippers, said mechanism-being constructed and arranged to permit the expansion of the gripped stock to actuate toward said device the portion of said gripper member having the inclined face as soon as the pull on the stock is discontinued whereby said device is moved by said inclined face in the direction for relaxing the grip of the gripper members.

51. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a rigid gripper member, a longitudinally movable gripper carrier upon which the rigid gripper member is mounted, and a cooperating gripper member pivoted to the carrier for movement toward and from the rigid gripper member, of an actuator for engaging the coiiperating gripper member to rock it for gripping the stock and to move it and the rigid gripper member in a direction lengthwise of the carrier to pull the stock, and a spring arranged to hold the carrier and the rigid gripper memher from longitudinal movement until the stock is gripped.

52. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pair of gripper members one of which is pivotally mounted for closing movement toward the other, of devices to close the grippers and then to raise them together, and a spring arranged to hold the pivoted gripper member from upward movement until the members have been closed.

53.111 a gripper mechanism, jaws for gripping and pulling stock, and actuating mechanism therefor constructed and arranged to be disconnected from the jaws while the stock is under tension.

54. In a gripper mechanism, jaws for gripping and pulling stock, and actuating mechanism therefor including a closing device arranged to be disconnected from another portion of the actuating mechanism to permit the jaws to open while the stock is being pulled.

55. In a gripper mechanism, jaws for gripping and pulling stock, and actuating mechanism therefor including a closing device and a lever for actuating the closing device and uplifting the jaws, and connections between the lever and the closing device arranged to be separated to permit the jaws to be opened while the lever is uplifted.

56. In a gripper mechanism arranged to 'pullv a shoe upper, the combination with a pivoted jaw, of a cooperating jaw, means for initially rocking the pivoted jaw about a fixed point toward the cotiperating jaw to grip the stock, and additional means movable in the direction of the pulling movement for finally closing the aws.

57. In a gripper mechanism, the combination with a pivoted jaw, of a cooperating jaw, means for initially rocking the pivoted jaw about a fixed point to grip the stock, and additional means including a spring arranged to become operative only after the initial rocking movement for forcing the pivoted jaw toward the fixed jaw to effect final closing and locking of the jaws.

58. A gripper mechanism for pulling an upper, having, in combination, two jaws and mechanism for actuating the jaws in two steps to grip the stock, including means to rock one of the jaws about a fixed point toward the other for initially closing the jaws upon the stock, and additional means becoming operative subsequently to effect yieldingly the final closing of the jaws with a force which automatically increases with the pulling force exerted through the grippers.

59. A gripper mechanism having, in combination, two jaws, and mechanism for actuating the jaws in two steps to grip the stock, comprising means for rocking one of said jaws about a fixed point for initially gripping the stock, and additional means including a previously inoperative spring and a surface which is inclined to the direction of relative movement for effecting final closing of the jaws.

60. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers comprising relatively movablejaws, one of which is mounted to turn about a fixed pivot, and operating means including a spring for initially closing the jaws, a second spring for effecting final closing of the jaws and power driven means to tension the latter spring.

61. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers comprising relatively movable jaws, one of which is mounted to turn about a fixed pivot, and operating means including a spring for initially closing the jaws, a second spring and power driven means to tension the second spring during the jaw closing operation.

62. In a grippers mechanism, a pair of gripper jaws, and actuating mechanism therefor including a member arranged for movement to close the j a-ws' and for further movement inthe same direction to cause the grippers to pull the upper, and a spring for holding the jaws from uplifting movement while they are being closed.

63. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers for seizing an upper and pulling it relatively to a last, means for actuating the grippers to do their work, guiding means with relation to which the grippers may be moved during the operation of the machine, and means for automatically returning said grippers to a normal relation to said guiding means preparatory to the next operation of the machine.

G LA pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers arranged to engage an upper at opposite sides of a last, means for actuating said grippers to pull the upper, said grippers being mounted for lateral movement during the operation of the machine, and means arranged to permit said movement while the grippers are holding the upper and to return said grippers automatically to a predetermined lateral position preparatory to the next upper pulling operation.

65. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, side grippers arranged to engage an upper at opposite sides of a last, means for actuating the grippers to pull the upper, said grippers being mounted for movement longitudinally of the shoe while they hold the upper, and means for lowering the grippers to upper seizing position at the end of the machines operation, said machine having provision for automatically centering the grippers longitudinally of the shoe when they are lowered.

66. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper, means for actuating it to seize and pull an upper, a guide I) in which the gripper is movable laterally while it holds the upper, and cooperating wedge surfaces 124, 125 on said gripper and guide for re-centering the gripper when it is lowered to upper seizing position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RONALD F. MOFEELY.

Witnesses LEONARD M. J OHNSON, CHARLES H. HOYT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

